U.S. patent application number 14/775437 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-21 for cosmetic container.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG HOUSEHOLD & HEALTH CARE LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is LG HOUSEHOLD & HEALTH CARE LTD.. Invention is credited to Sung Soo KANG, Hyeon Jeong KIM, Sung Tae KIM, Gu Yong LEE.
Application Number | 20160015149 14/775437 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52678422 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160015149 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Sung Tae ; et
al. |
January 21, 2016 |
COSMETIC CONTAINER
Abstract
The present invention relates to a cosmetic vessel including a
discharge unit discharging cosmetics to an outside, and a discharge
plate provided at one side of the discharge unit from which the
cosmetics are discharged, including at least one discharge hole,
and formed of a metal of SUS 300 series.
Inventors: |
KIM; Sung Tae; (Seoul,
KR) ; LEE; Gu Yong; (Seoul, KR) ; KIM; Hyeon
Jeong; (Cheongju-si, KR) ; KANG; Sung Soo;
(Daejeon, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG HOUSEHOLD & HEALTH CARE LTD. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG HOUSEHOLD & HEALTH CARE
LTD.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
52678422 |
Appl. No.: |
14/775437 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
August 21, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2014/007796 |
371 Date: |
September 11, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/383.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 40/22 20130101;
A45D 33/006 20130101; A45D 2200/1018 20130101; B05B 11/3001
20130101; A45D 2200/056 20130101; A45D 2200/155 20130101; A45D
33/008 20130101; A45D 2200/055 20130101; A45D 33/06 20130101; A45D
33/02 20130101; A45D 34/00 20130101; A45D 40/0075 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 40/00 20060101
A45D040/00; A45D 34/00 20060101 A45D034/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 14, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0017013 |
Jun 5, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0068332 |
Claims
1. A cosmetic vessel, comprising: a discharge unit discharging
cosmetics to an outside; and a discharge plate provided at one side
of the discharge unit from which the cosmetics are discharged,
including at least one discharge hole, and formed of a metal.
2. The cosmetic vessel of claim 1, wherein the discharge unit is a
pump.
3. The cosmetic vessel of claim 2, wherein the discharge plate
includes the metal of SUS 300 series.
4. The cosmetic vessel of claim 3, wherein the discharge plate
includes an SUS 304 material.
5. The cosmetic vessel of claim 3, wherein the discharge plate
includes at least one of materials of 301L, 304L, 304LN, 304N1,
304J1, 305EG, 309S, 310S, 316, 316L, 316LN, 316Ti, 317L, 321, 347,
329J3L and 329LD.
6. The cosmetic vessel of claim 2, wherein the discharge plate has
a thickness ranging from 0.1 to 1 mm.
7. The cosmetic vessel of claim 2, wherein the discharge plate has
a thickness ranging from 0.2 to 0.3 mm.
8. The cosmetic vessel of claim 2, wherein the discharge plate
includes at least one selected from the group consisting of iron,
stainless steel, copper, zinc and aluminum, or an alloy of at least
two selected from the group.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a cosmetic vessel, and more
particularly, to a cosmetic vessel capable of improving user
satisfaction by providing a cooling effect to cosmetics being
discharged.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Solid cosmetics such as foundations or liquid cosmetics such
as sunscreens which are in widespread use help protect and lighten
a user's skin and reduce wrinkles. The user may apply cosmetics
onto a makeup puff and pat to spread the cosmetics on a user's
face.
[0003] Cosmetics may be sold with a makeup puff received in a
cosmetic vessel. Generally, the puff may be received in a lid of
the cosmetic vessel. Therefore, to apply cosmetics, a user may open
the lid to take the puff out of it, and press the puff onto the
cosmetics with the user's fingers inserted under an elastic ribbon
of the puff to pick up a predetermined amount of the cosmetics.
[0004] However, when the user directly presses the puff onto the
cosmetics, cosmetics more than the user needs may be applied to the
puff by the pressure the user applies on the puff, which may cause
waste of the puff. Therefore, recently, a method has been developed
in which a sponge is impregnated with liquid cosmetics and the
liquid cosmetics permeated into the sponge is discharged and
supplied to the puff when the user presses the sponge with the
puff.
[0005] However, in the above-described conventional cosmetics
vessel, cosmetics more than the user needs may be discharged to the
puff by the pressure the user presses the sponge. In addition, when
the user presses the sponge too hard by mistake, the cosmetics may
be discharged to a portion of the puff adjacent to the user's
fingers as well as the surface of the puff which directly touches
the user's skin, which may cause considerable inconvenience to the
user.
[0006] In addition, conventionally, when the user applies the
cosmetics to the user's skin such as a face by tapping the puff
holding the cosmetics from the cosmetics-impregnated sponge, the
user repeats pressing the puff against the cosmetics-impregnated
sponge to apply the cosmetics. In this manner, however, the
cosmetics may be seriously contaminated with viruses, molds, or
bacteria on the skin. Furthermore, the contaminated microorganism
in the cosmetics may keep growing until the user uses up the
cosmetics. As a result, such contamination causes skin stimulation,
skin problems, skin allergies, smell change, and the like. If the
user experiences such inconvenience, the user will avoid using the
cosmetics. Although the user wishes to use the cosmetic product for
beauty, the cosmetics may rather cause personal hygiene problems
and skin problems. Therefore, the user may feel strongly
dissatisfied with the cosmetics.
[0007] For safe storage and use of cosmetics to avoid contamination
by microorganism, a vessel container may have a structure to
prevent cosmetic contents from contacting external contaminants. In
addition, while only a desired amount of cosmetics is used, the
remaining cosmetics are to be safely kept without contamination by
microorganism.
[0008] The solution and review for such structure are to be
earnestly sought. Thus, recommendation for use of cosmetics for
beauty without finding a fundamental solution to it may rather
cause serious skin side effects.
[0009] In addition, in general, the user keeps a cosmetic vessel in
a storage compartment of a vehicle or a purse when going outside,
and takes out the cosmetic vessel when using it. In such case,
since heat from the place where the cosmetic vessel is stored
permeates into the cosmetic vessel, the temperature of the cosmetic
contents may increase, and the heat may remain in the cosmetics as
latent heat. However, when the cosmetics with the increased
temperature are applied the user's skin, the feeling when the
cosmetics are applied to the skin may deteriorate.
[0010] In other words, conventionally, when applying the cosmetics,
the user may find the temperature of the cosmetics unpleasantly
warm and may not feel refreshed due to the heat of the cosmetics.
At the same time, since the cosmetics do not smoothly permeate into
the skin, the user may not feel that the user's makeup looks
natural.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENT
[0011] (Cited reference 1) Korea Registration Publication No.
10-1355364 (published on Jan. 23, 2014)
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0012] The present invention is conceived to solve the
aforementioned problems, and an object of the present invention is
to provide a container vessel discharging liquid cosmetics by a
pump and including a mesh member having a mesh shape formed above
the pump to prevent the cosmetics being discharged from splashing
upwards, so that user convenience may be improved.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
cosmetic vessel including a guide plate having discharge paths in a
radial direction above the pump and a metallic discharge plate
having a plurality of discharge holes above the guide plate, so
that cosmetics may flow along the discharge paths of the guide
plate and be discharged through the discharge holes to evenly
discharge the cosmetics to the outside.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
cosmetic vessel including a mesh member having a mesh shape at a
position corresponding to the shape of discharge paths and mounted
on a top surface of the guide plate, and a discharge plate mounted
on a top surface of the mesh member, so that cosmetics may flow
along the discharge paths in a radial direction and at the same
time pass through the mesh member, and be exposed to the outside
through the discharge holes of the discharge plate to cause the
cosmetics to be discharged to the top surface of the discharge
plate to the without splashing.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
cosmetic vessel including an edge path around discharge paths of a
guide plate and a sealing member mounted on the edge path to
prevent cosmetics from being leaked to the outside when the
cosmetics move along the discharge paths of the guide plate.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
cosmetic vessel discharging cosmetics by using an airless pump
instead of a conventional impregnated sponge so that a user may
repeat discharging the cosmetics by using the pump to reduce the
remaining amount of the cosmetics and prevent the cosmetics from
contacting air and thus being volatilized to thereby increase user
satisfaction.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
container vessel including a discharge plate formed of a metal,
such as a stainless steel, to secure antimicrobial properties and
hygiene, allow the cosmetics to be easily removed to keep the
cosmetic vessel clean even when a top surface of the discharge
plate is stained with the cosmetics, and cool the cosmetics with
the metallic discharge plate to provide a cooling effect to a
user's skin applied with the cosmetics, the discharge plate having
the top surface plated with chromium to prevent the discharge plate
from wearing down when friction is caused by the cosmetics.
Technical Solution
[0018] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a cosmetic vessel, including a discharge unit
discharging cosmetics to an outside, and a discharge plate provided
at one side of the discharge unit from which the cosmetics are
discharged, including at least one discharge hole, and formed of a
metal.
[0019] Particularly, the discharge unit may be a pump.
[0020] Particularly, the discharge plate may include the metal of
SUS 300 series.
[0021] Particularly, the discharge plate may include an SUS 304
material.
[0022] Particularly, the discharge plate may include at least one
of materials of 301L, 304L, 304LN, 304N1, 304J1, 305EG, 309S, 310S,
316, 316L, 316LN, 316Ti, 317L, 321, 347, 329J3L and 329LD.
[0023] Particularly, the discharge plate may have a thickness
ranging from 0.1 to 1 mm.
[0024] Particularly, the discharge plate may have a thickness
ranging from 0.2 to 0.3 mm.
[0025] Particularly, the discharge plate may include at least one
selected from the group consisting of iron, stainless steel,
copper, zinc and aluminum, or an alloy of at least two selected
from the group.
Advantageous Effects
[0026] According to the present invention, a cosmetic vessel
discharges liquid cosmetics by an airless pump and allows a user to
apply the cosmetics with a puff, and the cosmetic vessel includes a
mesh member with a portion having a mesh shape to prevent splashing
of the cosmetics when the cosmetics are discharged upwards by the
pump to allow the user to conveniently use the cosmetics.
[0027] In addition, according to the present invention, since the
cosmetics are discharged to the outside through the mesh member
having the mesh shape, splashing of cosmetics having a lower
viscosity may be effectively prevented when the cosmetics are
discharged.
[0028] In addition, according to the present invention, cosmetics
discharged from the pump move in a radial direction along discharge
paths of a guide plate, pass through the mesh member, and are
discharged to the outside through discharge holes of a discharge
plate, the cosmetics may be evenly supplied to a top surface of the
discharge plate.
[0029] In addition, according to the present invention, since the
cosmetic vessel includes an edge path and a sealing member around
the discharge paths of the guide plate, leakage of the cosmetics to
the outside of the guide plate may be prevented when the cosmetics
are discharged.
[0030] In addition, according to the present invention, since the
discharge plate is manufactured using an SUS 300 series stainless
steel, and the top surface of the discharge plate is plated with
chromium, antimicrobial properties and hygiene may be secured, and
at the same time, user satisfaction may be maximized by cooling the
cosmetics using the metallic discharge plate.
[0031] In addition, according to the present invention, since the
discharge plate of the cosmetic vessel includes a metal having
excellent thermal conductivity, when a small amount of the
cosmetics corresponding to a one-time usage is discharged to the
discharge plate just before the use of the cosmetics, moisture of
the discharge cosmetics may be evaporated to cause a sharp
reduction in temperature of the cosmetics, and heat in the
cosmetics discharged to the discharge plate may be transferred to
the discharge plate having excellent thermal conductivity and
dissipated to remove latent heat of the cosmetics to rapidly reduce
the temperature of the cosmetics, so that the temperature of the
cosmetics applied to the skin just before the user applies the
cosmetics may be reduced to make the user feel refreshed.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0032] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a cosmetic vessel
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a cosmetic vessel
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic vessel
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a guide plate of a cosmetic vessel
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a mesh member of a cosmetic vessel
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a cosmetic vessel
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic vessel
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a guide plate of a cosmetic vessel
according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a mesh member of a cosmetic vessel
according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cosmetic vessel according
to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic vessel
according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a locking portion of a
cosmetic vessel according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0044] FIG. 14 is a graph showing user satisfaction with a cooling
effect of a cosmetic vessel according to the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 15 is a graph showing a temperature change of a
cosmetic vessel according to the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 16 is a graph illustrating propagation of bacteria in a
cosmetic vessel according to the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 17 is a view showing contamination of a conventional
impregnated sponge.
[0048] FIG. 18 is a view showing wear depending on the material of
a discharge plate of a cosmetic vessel according to the present
invention.
BEST MODE
[0049] Objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will become readily apparent by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some
instances, proportions may have been exaggerated in order to
clearly illustrate features of the embodiments. Moreover, detailed
descriptions related to well-known functions or configurations will
be ruled out omitted in order not to unnecessarily obscure clearly
describe the subject matters of the present invention. Like
reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.
[0050] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0051] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a cosmetic vessel
according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is
a view illustrating a state in which a lid 80 is closed. FIG. 2 is
a view illustrating a state in which the lid 80 is opened.
[0052] In addition, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a
cosmetic vessel according to a first embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic vessel
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, according to the first embodiment
of the present invention, a cosmetic vessel 1 includes a vessel
body 10, a pump 20, a guide plate 30, a mesh member 40, a discharge
plate 50, a rim portion 60, an outer cover 70 and a lid 80.
[0054] The vessel body 10 receives cosmetics therein. The cosmetics
stored in the vessel body 10 may be discharged to the outside by
the pump 20 to be described below. The cosmetics may include liquid
cosmetics.
[0055] The vessel body 10 may include a lower body 12 and an upper
body 11. The vessel body 10 may be sealed by engaging the lower
body 12 with the upper body 11. The vessel body 10 is divided into
the upper and lower bodies so that the cosmetics may be easily
received in the vessel body 10.
[0056] More specifically, the lower body 12 has an inwardly
recessed portion. To store cosmetics in the vessel body 10, after
the cosmetics are put into the lower body 12, the upper body 11 is
engaged with the top portion of the lower body 12 to cover the
lower body 12, so that it may be easy to fill the vessel body 10
with cosmetics.
[0057] However, the present embodiment is not limited to the vessel
body 10 consisting of the lower body 12 and the upper body 11.
Instead, a separate opening (not illustrated) for supplying
cosmetics may be formed in the vessel body 10. Cosmetics may be
received in the vessel body 10 through this opening, and the
opening may then be sealed, so that the vessel body 10 may be
filled with the cosmetics. In other words, the present embodiment
does not particularly limit the shape and structure of the vessel
body 10. Any type of vessel body may be used space for receiving
cosmetics is defined in the vessel body.
[0058] The pump 20 may be provided to the vessel body 10. More
specifically, the pump 20 may be located at the center of the upper
part of the vessel body 10. Therefore, the cosmetics received in
the vessel body 10 may be discharged in an upward direction of the
vessel body 10 by the pump 20.
[0059] A press plate 13 may be formed in the vessel body 10. When
the cosmetics received in the vessel body 10 are discharged by the
pump 20, the volume of the vessel body 10 may be reduced to
decrease internal pressure. At this time, the press plate 10 may
prevent damage to the vessel body 10. In other words, since the
press plate 13 descends as the cosmetics are discharged, a constant
pressure may be maintained in the space where the cosmetics are
stored. To allow the press plate 13 to descend, an air inlet 14
through which air is moved into the vessel from the outside may be
formed at the upper part of the cosmetic vessel.
[0060] The pump 20 which is provided at the vessel body 10 may
discharge the cosmetics to the outside. The pump 20 may be an
airless pump and suck liquid cosmetics received in the vessel body
10 to discharge the liquid cosmetics to the outside of the vessel
body 10 in the upward direction of the vessel body 10. The
discharged cosmetics may pass through the guide plate 30, the mesh
member 40 and the discharge plate 50 and be exposed to the outside,
where a user's puff may reach the discharged cosmetics.
[0061] The pump 20 may include a cylinder 21, a piston 22 and an
elevating member 23. The cylinder 21 may have a hollow 211 and be
coupled to the central portion of the vessel body 10. The cylinder
21 may be formed integrally with the vessel body 10. The piston 22
and the piston ring 24 may be provided in the cylinder 21, and a
first hole 212 may be formed in a bottom portion of the cylinder 21
so that cosmetics may be introduced into the first hole 212.
[0062] The piston 22 which is provided in the cylinder 21 performs
an up-and-down motion to discharge the cosmetics in the vessel body
10 upwards and outwards. The hollow 221 of the piston 22 allows the
cosmetics to pass therethrough. A flange 223 which protrudes
outwards may be provided to a lower surface of the piston 22. In
addition, a second hole 222 may be formed in an outer
circumferential surface of the piston 22 so that the cosmetics may
be introduced through the second hole 222.
[0063] The piston ring 24 may be provided on the outer
circumferential surface of the piston 22 to seal the space between
the piston 22 and the cylinder 21. The outside of the piston ring
24 may contact the cylinder 21, and the inside thereof may contact
the piston 22 or the elevating member 23 to be described below. The
piston ring 24 may perform an up-and-down motion by the piston 22
and the elevating member 23. However, an upward movement of the
piston ring 24 may be realized by the flange 223 and restricted by
the elevating member 23, while a downward movement thereof may be
realized by the elevating member 23 and restricted by the flange
223.
[0064] The elevating member 23 is coupled to an upper part of the
piston 22 and pressurizes the piston 22 when the elevating member
23 is moved downwards by an external force. The elevating member 23
may surround the upper part of the piston 22 and be coupled to the
piston 22. In addition, the elevating member 23 may move upwards
and downwards in conjunction with the piston 22. The piston ring 24
may be coupled to a lower part of the elevating member 23.
[0065] The piston ring 24 may be provided between the elevating
member 23 and the cylinder 21. However, for further sealing, the
pump 20 may include a covering member 25. The covering member 25
may surround the outside of the cylinder 21, cover a portion of the
upper part of the cylinder 21, and closely contact a circumference
of the lower part of the elevating member 23.
[0066] In addition, the pump 20 may further include an elastic
member 26 to provide an upward elastic force to the elevating
member 23 and the piston 22. The elastic member 26 may be a spring.
An upper end of the elastic member 26 may closely contact a lower
surface of the elevating member 23, and a lower end thereof may
closely contact the cylinder 21 or an upper surface of the covering
member 25 to push up the elevating member 23.
[0067] Hereinafter, an operating principle of the pump 20 is
described below. When the elevating member 23 moves downwards, the
piston 22 also moves downwards. However, since the piston ring 24
does not move downwards due to friction with an inner surface of
the cylinder 21, the second hole 222 formed in the outer
circumferential surface of the piston 22 moves away from the piston
ring 24 and communicates with an internal space of the cylinder
21.
[0068] When the elevating member 23 continues to move downwards,
the piston ring 24 is pressed by the elevating member 23 and moves
downward to reduce a volume of the internal space of the cylinder
21 and increase a pressure of the internal space of the cylinder
21. Therefore, the cosmetics located in the internal space of the
cylinder 21 with the increased pressure are discharged along the
inside of the piston 22 through the second hole 222 formed in the
outer circumferential surface of the piston 22 which communicates
with the internal space of the cylinder 21. To prevent backflow of
the cosmetics, the pump 20 may further include a backflow
preventing member 27 in the first hole 212 formed in the lower part
at the center of the cylinder 21.
[0069] On the other hand, when the elevating member 23 moves
upwards by the elastic member 26, the piston ring 24 is stopped by
friction with the inner surface of the cylinder 21 in the same
manner as the elevating member 23 moves downwards, and the piston
ring 24 moves upwards by the flange 223 of the piston 22.
[0070] When the piston ring 24 closely contacts the flange 223 of
the piston 22, the second hole 222 in the outer circumferential
surface of the piston 22 is closed. In addition, when the piston
ring 24 moves upwards the volume of the internal space of the
cylinder 21 is increased. Therefore, the internal space of the
cylinder 21 has a low pressure. As a result, the cosmetics received
in the vessel body 10 may be naturally introduced into the cylinder
21. By repeating the above processes, the pump 20 may allow the
cosmetics received in the vessel body 10 to the outside.
[0071] However, the configuration of the pump 20 is not limited to
the present embodiment, and other various methods may be used as
the pump 20 in addition to the airless pump. In other words, any
configuration of the pump 20 may be used as long as the cosmetics
are discharged from the pump 20.
[0072] In addition, according to the present embodiment, instead of
using the pump 20 as a discharge unit, a sponge impregnated with
liquid cosmetics may be used. As the sponge is pressed by the guide
plate 30 to be described below, the cosmetics received in the
sponge may be discharged to the outside through an outlet 31 of the
guide plate 30.
[0073] The sponge may include at least one selected from the group
consisting of polyamide, polyester, polyether, polyurethane,
polyethylene, polystyrene, polyolefin, polyvinyl alcohol,
polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, polyacryl, polyvinyl chloride,
epoxy resin, sponge, nylon, cotton and non-woven fabric, etc.
[0074] The guide plate 30 may be coupled to an upper part of the
pump 20 and guide the cosmetics discharged by the pump 20. The
guide plate 30 may be provided between the pump 20 and the mesh
member 40 to be described below and coupled to the elevating member
23 of the pump 20. When the guide plate 30 moves downwards, the
elevating member 23 may also move downwards accordingly.
[0075] The guide plate 30 is described in detail with reference to
FIG. 5.
[0076] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a guide plate of a cosmetic vessel
according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring
to FIG. 5, the outlet 31 may be formed in the guide plate 30 of the
cosmetic vessel 1 according to the first embodiment of the present
invention at a position corresponding to an outlet of the pump 20.
The outlet of the pump 20 refers to the hollow 221 of the piston
22. The outlet 31 may be located at the center of the guide plate
30.
[0077] In addition, the guide plate 30 may further include
discharge paths 32 which communicate with the outlet 31 and are
radially formed on the basis of the outlet 31. The cosmetics pass
through the hollow 221 in the piston 22 and are discharged through
the outlet 31 of the guide plate 30. However, discharge holes 51
may not be formed in the discharge plate 50 at a position
corresponding to the outlet 31. In other words, upward movements of
the cosmetics discharged upwards through the outlet 31 of the guide
plate 30 are blocked by the discharge plate 50.
[0078] The cosmetics flow radially along the discharge paths 32.
Since the outlet 31 does not communicate with the outside, the
discharge of the cosmetics may be prevented from being concentrated
at the central part of the discharge plate 50 when the pump 20
operates.
[0079] The plurality of discharge paths 32 may be formed in a
radial direction. In FIG. 5, eight discharge paths 32 are
illustrated. However, the number of discharge paths 32 is not
limited thereof. Since the discharge paths 32 has radial
symmetrical, the cosmetics may be evenly discharged.
[0080] In addition, the guide plate 30 may further include an edge
path 33 formed around the discharge paths 32. The cosmetics are
discharged by the pump 20 and flow along the discharge paths 32.
When the cosmetics more than the user needs are discharged, the
cosmetics may leak along an outer surface of the guide plate 30 to
contaminate the vessel body 10, and a user's hand holding the
cosmetic vessel may be stained with the cosmetics to make the user
feel unpleasant. Therefore, according to the present embodiment,
since the edge path 33 is formed around the discharge paths 32,
when the cosmetics flow over the discharge paths 32, the edge path
33 may prevent the cosmetics from being leaked to the outside.
[0081] The edge path 33 may be separated from the discharge paths
32 so as not to communicate with the discharge paths 32. Since the
discharge paths 32 are formed in a radial direction, the edge path
33 may be in the shape of a flower or a circle which surrounds the
radial discharge paths 32. In other words, when the edge path 33 is
viewed from top, the discharge paths 32 may protrude outwards at
positions where the discharge paths 32 are formed and protrude
inwards at positions where the discharge paths 32 are not
formed.
[0082] A sealing member 34 may be mounted on the edge path 33. The
sealing member 34 may be formed of a rubber or the like and have
the same flower shape or circular shape as the edge path 33. Since
the sealing member 34 is arranged on the edge path 33, even when
the cosmetics reach the edge path 33, the cosmetics may be blocked
by the sealing member 34, so that cosmetics may not be discharged
to the outside of the guide plate 30.
[0083] According to the present embodiment, the guide plate 30 may
further include an auxiliary edge path 38 having a circular shape,
as shown in FIG. 12, outside the edge path 33. A packing material
39 having a circular shape, as shown in FIG. 12, may be provided on
the circular auxiliary edge path 38. The circular packing material
39 may include a foam material, such as foam rubber or urethane
foam, and prevent leakage of the cosmetics together with the
sealing member 34. Therefore, according to the present embodiment,
the cosmetics may be primarily sealed by the sealing member 34
provided on the edge path 33 and secondarily sealed by the packing
material 39 provided on the auxiliary edge path, the cosmetics
discharged from the pump 20 may be completely prevented from being
leaked to the outside by a double sealing structure.
[0084] The mesh member 40 may be provided at one side of the pump
20 where the cosmetics are discharged. At least portion of the mesh
member 40 may be formed in a mesh shape. The mesh member 40 may be
provided at the upper part of the pump 20. More specifically, the
mesh member 40 may be mounted on a top surface of a guide member. A
guide rib 35 may be formed on the guide plate 30 to mount the mesh
member 40 thereon. The mesh member 40 may be mounted in the guide
rib 35 of the guide plate 30.
[0085] The mesh member 40 is described in detail with reference to
FIG. 6.
[0086] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a mesh member of a cosmetic vessel
according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 6, according to the first embodiment of the present
invention, a groove 42 is formed at one side of the mesh member 40
of the cosmetic vessel 1, and a protrusion 36 is formed in the
guide rib 35 of the guide plate 30, so that the mesh member 40 may
be mounted in the guide rib 35 when the groove 42 is engaged with
the protrusion 36. In other words, when the mesh member 40 is
coupled to the guide member, an angle at which the mesh member 40
is mounted may be determined by the groove 42 and the protrusion
36. On the other hand, a protrusion may be formed on the mesh
member 40, and a groove may be formed in the guide plate 30,
whereby the angle at which the mesh member 40 is mounted may be
determined.
[0087] The angle at which the mesh member 40 is mounted refers to a
predetermined angle at which the mesh member 40 is mounted onto the
guide plate 30, among angles at which the mesh member 40 rotates on
the basis of a line which passes through the center of the mesh
member 40 in a vertical direction.
[0088] The angle at which the mesh member 40 is mounted is
determined so that the radially formed discharge paths 32 of the
guide plate 30 and the mesh portion 41 of the mesh member 40 may
match with each other. When the mesh portion 41 of the mesh member
40 has a circular shape covering the discharge paths 32, it may not
be necessary to determine the angle at which the mesh member 40 is
mounted. However, since the mesh portion 41 of the mesh member 40
has a circular shape, when the mesh portion 41 tightly contacts the
edge path 33, the cosmetics may be transferred via the mesh portion
41 to the edge path 33 from the discharge paths 32. As a result, a
sealing effect may be deteriorated.
[0089] Therefore, the mesh portion 41 may have a shape and size to
cover all the discharge paths 32 and not to correspond to the edge
path 33. In other words, more specifically, when the edge path 33
has a flower shape, the mesh portion 41 may have a radial shape.
The angle at which the mesh member 40 is mounted may be determined
by the groove 42 and the protrusion 36. When the edge path 33 has a
circular shape, the mesh portion 41 may have a circular shape, and
it may not be necessarily to determine the angle at which the mesh
member 40 is mounted. However, although the edge path 33 has a
circular shape, if the mesh portion 41 has a radial shape, the mesh
portion 41 may necessarily correspond to a discharge path, the
angle at which the mesh member 40 is mounted may be necessarily
determined. However, since a plurality of angles at which the mesh
member 40 is mounted may be determined by the number of discharge
paths 32, there may be provided a plurality of grooves 42 and a
plurality of protrusions 36.
[0090] As described above, since the mesh portion 41 is formed in
the mesh member 40, the liquid cosmetics discharged through the
guide plate 30 may pass through the mesh portion 41, so that the
mesh member 40 may prevent splashing of cosmetics. In other words,
since the mesh portion 41 of the mesh member 40 may slightly block
movements of the cosmetics, even when the user operates the pump 20
to discharge the cosmetics to the outside, the cosmetics may gently
flow along the discharge holes 51 of the discharge plate 50 without
splashing. The mesh portion 41 of the mesh member 40 may include
fiber such as polyester, nylon, wool, and cotton, or mixed yarns,
or various materials such as iron, zinc, copper, or an alloy
thereof, and plated metals. Also, the mesh portion 41 may be
appropriately formed in consideration of elements and viscosity of
the contents, purpose and product safety.
[0091] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the
cosmetics are discharged by the pump 20, since the mesh portion 41
of the mesh member 40 interrupts discharge of the cosmetics, the
cosmetics discharged to the outside may be evenly supplied to the
discharge plate 50 without splashing. Accordingly, according to the
present embodiment, a spaced used thereby may not be contaminated,
and user convenience may be improved.
[0092] The discharge plate 50 may be provided at the top surface of
the mesh member 40 and include the plurality of discharge holes 51.
The discharge plate 50 may include a metallic material such as
anti-rust iron, stainless steel, copper, zinc, tin, and aluminum,
an alloy thereof, and plated metals. When the discharge plate 50 is
plated with anti-corrosive, anti-fouling, and antimicrobial metals,
for example, chromium, copper, silver, or gold, beauty and elegance
are added so that users may feel that the discharge plate 50 is
sophisticated. At the same time, the discharge plate 50 may be
plated with materials which satisfy hygiene requirements. The
discharge holes 51 may be provided at a position corresponding to
the mesh portion 41 of the mesh member 40 or the discharge paths 32
of the guide plate 30.
[0093] The discharge plate 50 may have a thickness of 0.1 to 1 mm
(preferably, 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm) and include metal having excellent
corrosion resistance and rust resistance, such as aluminum,
aluminum alloy, and stainless steel, or ceramics.
[0094] More specifically, the discharge plate 50 may include SUS
304 among SUS 300 series having good corrosion resistance, acid
resistance and heat resistance. More particularly, to improve
antimicrobial resistance and hygienic conditions, the discharge
plate 50 may include 304J1.
[0095] However, according to the present embodiment, the material
of the discharge plate 50 is not limited thereto. The discharge
plate 50 may include at least one of 301L, 304L, 304LN, 304N1,
305EG, 309S, 310S, 316, 316L, 316LN, 316Ti, 317L, 321, 347, 329J3L,
and 329LD including 304 series.
[0096] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, by using the
discharge plate 50 made of a SUS 300 series stainless steel, the
top surface of the discharge plate 50 on which the cosmetics
discharged by the pump 20 are placed and remain may be kept clean,
and corrosion may be effectively prevented.
[0097] In addition, according to the present embodiment, by using
the metallic discharge plate 50, the discharge plate 50 may
efficiently dissipate heat, so that a cooling effect may be
obtained to reduce the temperature of the cosmetics.
[0098] According to the present embodiment, as described above, an
impregnated sponge may replace the pump 20. When the impregnated
sponge is used, the metallic discharge plate 50 may be used to
pressurize the impregnated sponge.
[0099] However, when the discharge plate 50 directly presses the
impregnated sponge, as the impregnated sponge keeps contacting the
discharge plate 50, the temperature of the discharge plate 50 is in
equilibrium with the temperature of the impregnated sponge. As a
result, when the cosmetics are discharged from the impregnated
sponge, the discharge plate 50 may not cool down the cosmetics. In
addition, air may be introduced into the impregnated sponge through
the discharge holes 51 of the discharge plate 50 to contaminate the
cosmetics received in the impregnated sponge.
[0100] However, according to the present embodiment, even when the
impregnated sponge is used, since the guide plate 30 and the mesh
member 40 are disposed between the discharge plate 50 and the
impregnated sponge, the discharge plate 50 may be separated from a
discharge unit, such as the impregnated sponge to avoid
contamination of cosmetics as described above.
[0101] Accordingly, according to the present embodiment, since the
discharge plate 50 is separated from the discharge unit for
discharging the cosmetics, the discharge plate 50 may maintain a
lower temperature than the cosmetics, so that the cosmetics
discharged through the discharge unit may cool down when contacting
the discharge plate 50, which may make the user feel extremely
satisfied.
[0102] In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the
airless pump 20 may be used as a discharge unit, even when air is
introduced through the discharge holes 51 formed in the discharge
plate 50, the airless pump 20 may prevent air from being
transmitted to the cosmetics received in the pump 20 to thereby
protect the cosmetics against contamination. In addition, according
to the present embodiment, when the pump 20 is used, the remaining
usage may be reduced to approximately 5% as compared when an
impregnated sponge is used.
[0103] The cosmetics remain on the top surface of the discharge
plate 50. When the user rubs the cosmetics remaining on the top
surface of the discharge plate 50 with a puff or the like, the top
surface of the discharge plate 50 may wear down due to powder
contained in the cosmetics. Therefore, according to the present
embodiment, by coating the top surface of the discharge plate 50 or
plating it with a predetermined material, even when the user rubs
the top surface of the discharge plate 50 to pick up the cosmetics,
deterioration in durability of the discharge plate 50 may be
prevented.
[0104] The discharge plate 50 may be plated with a different metal
from the metal forming the discharge plate 50. For example, the
discharge plate 50 may be plated with chromium. More specifically,
the discharge plate 50 may be plated with trivalent chromium or
hexavalent chromium.
[0105] As described above, according to the present embodiment,
since the discharge plate 50 is formed of a metallic material and
at least one surface thereof is plated with chromium, hygiene,
anti-microbial resistance and durability may be ensured. In
addition, the cosmetics remaining on the discharge plate 50 may be
easily cleaned to keep the discharge plate 50 clean and increase
user convenience. In other words, according to the present
embodiment, since a separate member is not placed on the top
surface of the discharge plate 50, the top surface of the discharge
plate 50 may be directly exposed to the outside.
[0106] The discharge paths 32 of the guide plate 30 are radially
formed, and the mesh portion 41 of the mesh member 40 covers the
discharge paths 32 of the guide plate 30. Thus, the discharge holes
51 may be radially formed in substantially the same manner as the
discharge paths 32.
[0107] The radially formed discharge holes 51 may increase in
diameter as the discharge holes 51 are away from the center of the
discharge plate 50. The cosmetics are discharged from the center by
the pump 20 and flow along the discharge paths 32 of the guide
plate 30. Therefore, a rate of flow of the cosmetic may gradually
decrease from the center. Therefore, when the discharge holes 51
have the same diameter, the cosmetics may not be unevenly spread
over the top surface of the discharge plate 50. Thus, the discharge
holes 51 may increase in diameter as the discharge holes 51 are
away from the center.
[0108] As described above, the discharge holes 51 may not be formed
in the central portion of the discharge plate 50. When the
discharge holes 51 are formed at the central portion of the
discharge plate 50, if the guide plate 30 is strongly pressed, the
cosmetics may pass through the outlet 31 of the guide plate 30, the
mesh portion 41 of the mesh member 40, and the discharge holes 51
of the discharge plate 50 at the same time and therefore splash
up.
[0109] The discharge holes 51 formed in the discharge plate 50 may
have a very small diameter ranging from 0.1 to 1 mm. When the
discharge holes 51 have a smaller diameter, the user may precisely
control the amount of cosmetics discharged to the upper part of the
discharge plate 50 by the pump 20, and foreign matters may not be
introduced therein through the discharge holes 51.
[0110] More specifically, the discharge holes 51 may be radially
provided and separated from each other at 45 degree intervals on
the basis of the center of the discharge plate 50. Three discharge
holes 51 may be arranged next to each other in a predetermined
direction away from the center of the discharge plate 50. These
three discharge holes 51 arranged next to each other may
sequentially have diameters of 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, and 0.5 mm from the
center of the discharge plate 50 towards the outside.
[0111] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, since the
discharge plate 50 including the discharge holes 51 having the
above-described very small diameters are used for the airless pump
20, the cosmetics may be prevented from contacting with air, so
that some of the materials included in the cosmetics may be
sufficiently prevented from being volatilized.
[0112] As described above, since the discharge holes 51 have very
small diameters, when the discharge plate 50 is manufactured by
injection molding, it may be difficult to accurately manufacture
the discharge holes 51. Therefore, according to the present
embodiment, after the discharge plate 50 is manufactured, the
discharge holes 51 may be formed by etching, so that the discharge
holes 51 having a diameter of 0.1 mm may be manufactured.
[0113] A protrusion 37 may be formed at one side of the guide plate
30, and a coupling hole 52 may be formed in the discharge plate 50
so that the discharge holes 51 of the discharge plate 50 may
correspond to the radially formed discharge paths 32 of the guide
plate 30. The protrusion 37 is engaged with the coupling hole 52.
In other words, the discharge plate 50 may be mounted on the guide
plate 30 by engaging the protrusion 37 of the guide plate 30 with
the coupling hole 52. In this manner, as described above in
connection with the mesh member 40, an angle at which the discharge
plate 50 is mounted may be determined. However, a detailed
description thereof will be omitted since it is given earlier in
connection with the groove 42 and the protrusion 36.
[0114] The rim portion 60 may be coupled to the upper part of the
guide plate 30 and the vessel body 10. The rim portion 60 may
include an inner rim portion 61 and an outer rim portion 62. The
inner rim portion 61 may surround the edge of the discharge plate
50 and be coupled to the guide plate 30 to fix the guide plate 30,
the mesh member 40, and the discharge plate 50 while being
compressed. The inside of the inner rim portion 61 may be
penetrated to expose the discharge plate 50 to the outside, so that
the cosmetics discharged to the top surface of the discharge plate
50 may be exposed to the outside.
[0115] The inner rim portion 61 may be formed integrally with the
discharge plate 50 since when the inner rim portion 61 moves
downwards, the discharge plate 50 also moves downwards. In this
example, the material of the inner rim portion 61 may be similar to
or the same as that of the discharge plate 50. For example, the
inner rim portion 61 may include iron, stainless steel, copper,
zinc, tin, and aluminum, an alloy thereof, or plated metals. In
addition, in a similar manner as the discharge plate 50, the inner
rim portion 61 may include chromium, copper, silver, or gold in
order to achieve beauty and elegance.
[0116] The outer rim portion 62 may be provided to the outside of
the inner rim portion 61 and coupled with the vessel body 10.
However, the outer rim portion 62 may not be fixed to the inner rim
portion 61, allow elevating or lowering of the inner rim portion
61, and surround the outside of the inner rim portion 61. To this
end, inner teeth 611 may be formed on an outer surface of the inner
rim portion 61, and outer teeth 621 having a shape corresponding to
the inner teeth 611 of the outer rim portion 62 may be formed on an
inner surface of the inner rim portion 61, so that the outer rim
portion 62 may restrict the rotation of the inner rim portion 61
and allow the elevating and lowering thereof.
[0117] A portion engaged with a hinge structure of a lid 80 to be
described below and a portion corresponding to a latching portion
72 may be depressed into a side surface of the outer rim portion 62
to avoid interference between components.
[0118] The outer rim portion 62 may be coupled to an outer cover 70
to be described below. The inner rim portion 61 may be raised or
lowered on the basis of the outer rim portion 62 to operate the
pump 20. In other words, when the user grips the outer cover 70 and
presses the discharge plate 50 in the inner rim portion 61 with a
puff (not illustrated), the inner rim portion 61 coupled to the
discharge plate 50 in the outer rim portion 62 coupled to the outer
cover 70 moves downwards, and the guide plate 30 also moves
downwards to cause the pump 20 to operate, so that the cosmetics
may be provided to the top surface of the discharge plate 50 and
the inside of the inner rim portion 61. Therefore, the user may
apply the cosmetics by picking up the cosmetics exposed on the top
surface of the discharge plate 50 with the puff.
[0119] The outer cover 70 is configured to surround the vessel body
10. The outer cover 70 has a space in which the vessel body 10 is
mounted. However, an opening 71 may be formed in a lower part of
the outer cover 70 to expose the vessel body 10. The user pushes up
the vessel body 10 through the opening 71 of the outer cover 70 to
separate vessel body 10 therefrom, so that the vessel body 10 may
be replaced with a new one.
[0120] The top surface of the outer cover 70 may be covered by the
outer rim portion 62, the inner rim portion 61 and the discharge
plate 50 in a sequential manner from the outside to the center.
Thus, from the outside, the user cannot see the guide plate 30, the
mesh member 40, and the pump 20. Therefore, according to the
present embodiment, the beauty of the cosmetic vessel may be
improved to increase user satisfaction.
[0121] The outer cover 70 may include the latching portion 72. The
latching portion 72 may be coupled with the lid 80 to block the
opening of the lid 80. A button 721 and a latch 722 may be formed
in a single body. In other words, when the user pushes the button
721, the latch 722 also moves in a direction in which the button
721 is pressed. In this manner, the latching portion 72 may control
the opening and closing of the lid 80 by separating the latch 722
from the lid 80.
[0122] The lid 80 opens and closes one side of the outer cover 70
(herein, upper side). One side of the lid 80 may be coupled to the
outer cover 70 using a hinge. The lid 80 may rotate on the basis of
the center of the hinge to open the upper side of the outer cover
70. The lid 80 may be fixed while sealing the upper side of the
outer cover 70 by the latching portion 72.
[0123] The lid 80 may be coupled to the outer cover 70 using the
hinge. A spring may be provided to the hinge structure so that the
lid 80 may be automatically opened when the lid 80 is released from
the latching portion 72.
[0124] A mirror 81 may be provided to the inside of the lid 80.
While the user looks into the mirror 81 after opening the lid 80,
the user may discharge the cosmetics from the vessel body 10 by
pressurizing the discharge plate 50 or the inner rim portion
61.
[0125] As described above, according to the present embodiment,
when the cosmetics are discharged from the pump 20, the movements
of the cosmetics are blocked by the mesh member 40 to prevent the
cosmetics from spurting from the top surface of the discharge plate
50, so that the user may use the cosmetics with convenience and
cleanliness.
[0126] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a cosmetic vessel
according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8
is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic vessel according to the
second embodiment of the present invention.
[0127] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, according to the second
embodiment of the present invention, the cosmetic vessel 1 may
further include a button portion 90.
[0128] Hereinafter, the differences between the present embodiment
and the first embodiment will be described in detail. Although the
configuration of the present embodiment is denoted by the same
reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, it does not
necessarily mean that both embodiments have the same
configuration.
[0129] The guide plate 30 may have a disc shape with a cut-off
portion at one side thereof to ensure a space in which the button
portion 90 to be described below is located. In this case, the
protrusion described above according to the first embodiment may be
removed. However, the outlet 31 and the discharge paths 32 formed
on the upper part of the guide plate 30 may be the same as those of
the first embodiment.
[0130] The discharge plate 50 may have a disc shape with a cut-off
portion at one side like the guide plate 30, and the coupling hole
52 is omitted. However, since each of the guide plate 30 and the
discharge plate 50 has a disc shape with a cut-off portion at one
side thereof, it may be possible to smoothly align the guide plate
30 and the discharge plate 50 without providing the protrusion or
the coupling hole included in the first embodiment.
[0131] The rim portion 60 may be coupled to the upper part of the
guide plate 30 and the vessel body 10. According to the present
embodiment, since the pump 20 may be operated using the button
portion 90, the rim portion 60 may be formed as a single body
unlike the rim portion 60 according to the first embodiment. In
addition, since the rim portion 60 may be firmly fixed to the
vessel body 10, it may be impossible to rise or lower the rim
portion 60.
[0132] A through hole 63 may be formed in the rim portion 60 so
that one side of the button portion 90 to be described below may be
exposed to the outside. Since the button portion 90 causes the pump
20 to operate when the protruding portion 93 is pressed by the
user, the protruding portion 93 may be exposed to the outside for
the user to press. A description thereof will be given below.
Therefore, the rim portion 60 includes the through hole 63 so that
the user may easily access the button portion 90.
[0133] The button portion 90 is provided above the pump 20 and
causes the pump 20 to operate. When a portion exposed through the
through hole 63 of the rim portion 60 is pressed by the user, the
button portion 90 causes the elevating member 23 of the pump 20 to
move downwards so that the cosmetics received in the pump 20 may be
discharged to the outside. The button portion 90 may include an
auxiliary button 91 and a primary button 92.
[0134] One end of the auxiliary button 91 is mounted on a top
surface of the elevating member 23, and the other end thereof may
be inclined downwards so that the auxiliary button 91 may be
mounted on the vessel body 10 (specifically, upper body 11) to
provide an elastic force to the primary button 92 to be described
below.
[0135] The primary button 92 may be mounted on an upper part of the
auxiliary button 91, a protruding portion 93 is formed at one end
thereof, and a portion thereof may be mounted on the top surface of
the elevating member 23. A portion of the top surface of the
elevating member 23 on which one end of the auxiliary button 91 is
mounted and another portion thereof on which the portion of the
primary button 92 is mounted may be located opposite to each other.
Thus, when the elevating member 23 moves downwards by the primary
button 92 and the auxiliary button 91, the elevating member 23 may
stably move downwards without being tilted.
[0136] The protruding portion 93 of the primary button 92 may be
exposed through the through hole 63 of the rim portion 60 for the
user to press. When the user presses the protruding portion 93, a
portion of the primary button 92 corresponding to the top surface
of the elevating member 23 moves downwards, and a portion of the
auxiliary button 91, pressed by the primary button 92,
corresponding to the top surface of the elevating member 23 may
move downwards. Therefore, as the elevating member 23 moves
downwards by the primary button 92 and the auxiliary button 91, the
cosmetics may be discharged to the discharge plate 50.
[0137] According to the present embodiment, instead of the button
portion 90, a button portion (not illustrated) which extends from
the side of the vessel body 10 causes the pump 20 to operate when
being pressed by the user. In addition, according to the present
embodiment, various structures may be used to operate the pump 20.
For example, the pump 20 may be operated by rotation of a
screw.
[0138] As described above, unlike first embodiment, according to
the present embodiment, the rim portion 60 does not move downwards,
and the cosmetics are discharged to the discharge plate 50 by using
the button portion 90. Therefore, abnormal discharge caused by the
discharge holes 51 clogged by the puff when the user presses the
discharge plate 50 with the puff to discharge the cosmetics
according to the first embodiment may be avoided, and the discharge
of the cosmetics may become easier, thereby increasing user
satisfaction.
[0139] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a guide plate of a cosmetic vessel
according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10
is a plan view of a mesh member of a cosmetic vessel according to a
third embodiment of the present invention.
[0140] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, according to the third
embodiment of the present invention, the discharge paths 32 of the
guide plate 30 and the mesh portion 41 of the mesh member 40 of the
cosmetic vessel may be different from those of the earlier
described embodiments. Hereinafter, the differences between the
present embodiment and the first and embodiments will be described
in detail. Although the configuration of the present embodiment is
denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first and
second embodiments, it does not necessarily mean that these
embodiments have the same configuration.
[0141] The guide plate 30 is coupled to the upper part of the pump
20 to guide the cosmetics discharged by the pump 20. As described
above with reference to the first embodiment, the guide plate 30
may include the outlet 31, the discharge paths 32 and the edge path
33. The discharge paths 32 are reduced or increased as the
discharge paths 32 are away from the outlet 31 located at the
center of the guide plate 30.
[0142] When the cosmetics are discharged from the pump 20, the
cosmetics pass through the outlet 31, move along the discharge
paths 32, and are exposed to the outside through the discharge
holes 51 of the discharge plate 50. In order that the cosmetics may
be discharged through the discharge holes 51 which are distant from
the discharge plate 50, the cosmetics are to be sufficiently filled
from the outlet 31 to one location of the discharge paths 32 (at
which the discharge holes 51 distant from the center communicate
with the discharge paths 32). Therefore, the amount of the
cosmetics being discharged through the discharge holes 51 which are
distant from the center may be not enough.
[0143] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the
discharge paths 32 are reduced as the discharge paths 32 are away
from the outlet 31, so that the remaining amount of the cosmetics
on the discharge paths 32 may be reduced, and a sufficient amount
of cosmetics may be discharged although the discharge holes 51 of
the discharge plate 50 are distant from the center of the discharge
plate 50.
[0144] The mesh member 40 is provided at one side of the pump 20
where the cosmetics are discharged. At least portion of the mesh
member 40 may have a mesh shape. In other words, since the
cosmetics move from the mesh member 40 through the mesh portion 41
and are discharged to the outside, according to the present
embodiment, splashing of the cosmetics discharged from the pump 20
may be prevented when low viscosity cosmetics are used.
[0145] The mesh portion 41 may have a shape corresponding to the
discharge paths 32. In other words, the mesh portion 4l may be
radially formed so as to correspond to the discharge paths and be
gradually reduced or expanded (preferably reduced) away from the
center. Therefore, the mesh portion 41 may sufficiently cover the
discharge paths 32 to prevent splashing of the lower viscosity
cosmetics.
[0146] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the
discharge paths 32 of the guide plate 30 are gradually reduced away
from the outlet 31, so that a sufficient amount of the cosmetics
may be discharged through all discharge holes 51 formed in the
discharge plate 50. As a result, user satisfaction may be
increased.
[0147] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cosmetic vessel according
to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a
cross-sectional view of a cosmetic vessel according to the fourth
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a perspective view
of a locking portion of a cosmetic vessel according to the fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0148] Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, according to the fourth
embodiment of the present invention, the cosmetic vessel 1 may
include a locking portion 100. The differences between the present
embodiment and the first to third embodiments will be described in
detail. Although the configuration of the present embodiment is
denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first to
third embodiments, it does not necessarily mean that these
embodiments have the same configuration.
[0149] The locking portion 100 may control the discharge of the
cosmetics by the pump 20. A portion of the locking portion 100 may
protrude from an outer surface of the outer cover 70 and be pressed
by the user if necessary to thereby control the operations of the
pump 20.
[0150] The locking portion 100 may be included to avoid inadvertent
discharge of cosmetics caused by pressing the discharge plate 50
when the user rubs the cosmetics to evenly spread on the discharge
plate 50 using the puff after the user presses the discharge plate
50 to discharge the cosmetics to the top surface of the discharge
plate 50 from the pump 20.
[0151] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, by providing
the locking portion 100, since the user is able to control the
discharge of the cosmetics by pressing the locking portion 100
after a desirable amount of the cosmetics are discharged to the top
surface of the discharge plate 50, the user may conveniently apply
the cosmetics discharged to the discharge plate 50 with the
puff.
[0152] To this end, at least one locking portion 100 may be formed
at the outer cover 70 that the user grips, and any locking portion
100 may control the discharge of the pump 20. For example, the
locking portions 100 may be provided at the left and right of the
portion at which the outer cover 70 and the lid 80 are engaged with
each other by a hinge.
[0153] The locking portion 100 includes an elastic piece 101, a
protruding portion 102 and a locking protrusion 103. The elastic
piece 101 may extend a predetermined length from one side
(preferably both sides) of the locking portion 100 and have an
elastic force. The elastic force of the elastic piece 101 may be
exerted on the protruding portion 102 to cause the protruding
portion 102 to protrude to the outside of the vessel body 10 when
an external force is not applied.
[0154] One end of the elastic piece 101 may be connected to the
protruding portion 102 to be described below, and the other end
thereof may tightly contact to the outside of the vessel body 10.
When the protruding portion 102 is pushed in by the user, the other
end of the elastic piece 101 slides along the outer surface of the
vessel body 10 to allow the protruding portion 102 to be inserted
therein.
[0155] The protruding portion 102 may be exposed to the outside of
the outer cover 70 and pressed by the user. To this end, a through
hole (not illustrated) corresponding to the shape of the protruding
portion 102 may be formed in the outer cover 70.
[0156] The protruding portion 102 may have a curved shape so that
the user may conveniently press the protruding portion 102 and the
cosmetic vessel may look better. In addition, since a friction
surface is formed, user convenience may be increased.
[0157] An elastic force may be applied to the protruding portion
102 from elastic piece 101 in an outward direction on the basis of
the center of the pump 20, The protruding portion 102 moves towards
the center of the pump 20 when being pressed by the user. The
locking portion 100 may be locked as the locking protrusion 103
moves in conjunction with the protruding portion 102.
[0158] The locking protrusion 103 is provided to the protruding
portion 102 and prevents the discharge plate 50 from moving
downwards. More specifically, when the protruding portion 102 is
pressed by the user, the locking protrusion 103 may move inwards
from the outside on the basis of the pump 20 to prevent the
discharge plate 50 from moving downwards.
[0159] A top surface of the locking protrusion 103 tightly contacts
a lower part of the inner rim portion 61 of the rim portion 60
which may move downwards to prevent the inner rim portion 61 from
moving downwards and thus prevent the discharge plate 50 from
moving downwards, so that the discharge of the cosmetics of the
pump 20 may controlled.
[0160] According to the present embodiment, the button portion 90
according to the second embodiment may be used herein. The locking
portion 100 may prevent the button portion 90 from moving downwards
so as not to cause the pump 20 to operate. Since the protruding
portion 102 is inserted, the locking protrusion 103 of the locking
portion 100 may tightly contact a bottom surface of the button
portion 90 to prevent the operations of the button portion 90.
[0161] As described above, according to the present embodiment,
since the user easily controls the operations of the pump 20 by
using the locking portion 100 after the cosmetics are discharged to
the discharge plate 50, the cosmetics may not be discharged even
when the user taps the cosmetics discharged to the discharge plate
50 to evenly spread the cosmetics, so that waste of the cosmetics
may be avoided to significantly increase user satisfaction.
[0162] Hereinafter, based on the specific experimental data, a
cooling effect of the cosmetic vessel 1 according to the present
invention is proved and described.
[0163] FIG. 14 is a graph showing user satisfaction with a cooling
effect of a cosmetic vessel according to the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a graph showing a temperature change of a cosmetic
vessel according to the present invention.
[0164] Table 1 below shows user satisfaction when a user used the
cosmetic vessels 1 and the conventional cosmetic vessels which were
left for one minute at predetermined temperatures. More
specifically, fifty users were surveyed and gave grades on a scale
of zero to five, and average values were calculated. FIG. 14 is a
graph of the values shown in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Impregnated sponge + Airless pump + metallic
metallic discharge Airless Impregnated discharge plate plate pump
sponge used after 5 3.7 3 2.3 keeping at 25.degree. C. used after
4.8 3.5 2.5 1.5 keeping at 30.degree. C. used after 4.7 3.4 2.2 1
keeping at 45.degree. C.
[0165] Referring to Table 1 and FIG. 14, since the cosmetic vessel
1 according to the present invention includes the discharge unit
(20) including the pump 20 (specifically, airless pump) or an
impregnated sponge, and the discharge plate 50, there may be two
different embodiments, depending on the type of the discharge unit
20. In addition, the conventional cosmetic vessel may be divided
into a case in which cosmetics are discharged by the airless pump
and a case in which cosmetics are discharged by the impregnated
sponge.
[0166] It showed that the highest level of user satisfaction was
achieved against the embodiment corresponding to the cosmetic
vessel 1 including the airless pump 20 and the metallic discharge
plate 50 when the cosmetic vessel 1 according to the present
invention was used after being kept at each temperature in
comparison with the other embodiment according to the present
invention or the conventional cosmetic vessels.
[0167] In addition, user satisfaction with the embodiment
corresponding to the cosmetic vessel 1 including the impregnated
sponge and the metallic discharge plate 50 when the cosmetic vessel
1 was used after being kept at each temperature was higher than
that of the conventional cosmetic vessel.
[0168] Since the metallic discharge plate 50 effectively cools the
cosmetics discharged from the airless pump 20 or the impregnated
sponge, the user satisfaction with the cooling effect of the
cosmetic vessel 1 according to the present invention was higher
than that with the conventional cosmetic vessel. On the other hand,
since the conventional cosmetic vessel including either the airless
pump or the impregnated sponge cannot cool the cosmetics, a lower
level of user satisfaction was obtained.
[0169] The cooling effect produced by the cosmetic vessel 1 is
shown with reference to Table 2 below and FIG. 15.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 0 15 30 45 60 (sec) Airless pump + 45.8 40
38.1 31 27.5 Temperature metallic discharge plate Impregnated 46.4
43 41.3 35 31.1 Temperature sponge + metallic discharge plate
Airless pump 47 45 42.6 38.5 35.2 Temperature Impregnated 47.4 46.5
43.7 41.7 39.6 Temperature sponge
[0170] Table 2 shows temperatures of surfaces (on which the user
picks up cosmetics with a puff. The surfaces of the cosmetic
vessels refer to the top surfaces of the discharge plate 50 of the
cosmetic vessel 1 according to the present invention, a discharge
portion of the airless pump of the conventional cosmetic vessel,
and the top surface of the impregnated sponge of the conventional
cosmetic vessel.) of the cosmetic vessel 1 and the conventional
cosmetic vessel measured by time after the cosmetic vessel 1 and
the conventional cosmetic vessel were kept at a predetermined
temperature (50 degrees) for a predetermined period of time (the
cosmetic vessel 1 and the conventional cosmetic vessel were kept in
an incubator until the temperature of the incubator was completely
transferred to each vessel for four hours in these experiments),
and then left at room temperature (of 20 degrees) for one minute.
An average of three values for each embodiment was calculated. FIG.
15 is a graph of the values shown in Table 2.
[0171] Referring to Table 2 and FIG. 15, as for the embodiment
corresponding to the cosmetic vessel 1 including the airless pump
20 as the discharge unit 20, the temperature of the surface was
sharply reduced when observed at 15-second intervals one minute
after being left at room temperature. It showed that the surface
temperature was cooled to a temperature of 27.5 degrees after 60
seconds passed.
[0172] Alternately, as for the embodiment corresponding to the
cosmetic vessel 1 including the impregnated sponge as the discharge
unit 20, it showed that the surface temperature was sufficiently
reduced. The surface was cooled to a temperature of 31.1 degrees
after 60 seconds passed.
[0173] However, when the conventional cosmetic vessel was kept to
reach 50 degrees and then exposed to room temperature, since the
conventional cosmetic vessel did not include any configuration to
sharply reduce the temperature, the conventional cosmetic vessel
including the airless pump was maintained at the temperature of 35
degrees or higher after 60 seconds, and the conventional cosmetic
vessel including the impregnated sponge was maintained at the
temperature of approximately 40 degrees after 60 seconds.
[0174] In other words, based on the above-shown experimental data,
when the cosmetic vessel 1 was heated to the temperature of 50
degrees and exposed at room temperature of 20 degrees, the metallic
discharge plate 50 caused a sharp temperature reduction, so that a
cooling effect was provided to the cosmetics discharged to the top
surface of the discharge plate 50. Therefore, the cooling effect
produced by the cosmetic vessel 1 was clearly shown based on the
measured temperatures, which makes the cosmetic vessel 1 according
to the present invention distinguished from the conventional
cosmetic vessel. As a result, according to the present invention,
user satisfaction may be significantly improved.
[0175] However, the temperature was more reduced when the cosmetic
vessel 1 includes the airless pump 20 as the discharge unit 20 than
when the cosmetic vessel 1 includes the impregnated sponge as the
discharge unit 20. Such difference was made since there was little
or no contact area between the airless pump 20 and the discharge
plate 50 and the heat absorbed into the cosmetics when the cosmetic
vessel 1 was kept at the temperature of 50 degrees was not
transferred to the discharge plate 50.
[0176] As described above, since the discharge plate 50 of the
cosmetic vessel 1 according to the present invention includes a
metallic material, a sharp temperature reduction occurs at the top
surface of the discharge plate 50, so that the heat in the
cosmetics may be dissipated to the outside when the cosmetics are
discharged to thereby maximize user satisfaction against a cooling
effect.
[0177] Hereinafter, the antimicrobial effect of the cosmetic vessel
1 according to the present invention will be proved and described
using the specific experimental data.
[0178] FIG. 16 is a graph illustrating propagation of bacteria of a
cosmetic vessel according to the present invention. FIG. 17 is a
view illustrating contamination of a conventional impregnated
sponge. Table 3 shows values of propagation velocity of a cosmetic
vessel according to the present invention and a conventional
cosmetic vessel. FIG. 16 is a graph of the values shown in Table
3.
[0179] In the experiments in FIG. 16 and Table 3, cosmetics with no
preservatives were used. The experiments were performed on the
cosmetic vessel 1 including the airless pump 20 as the discharge
unit 20 and the cosmetic vessel 1 including the impregnated sponge
as the discharge unit 20. The conventional cosmetic vessel
including the impregnated sponge was used as a comparison group. In
addition, the user applied the cosmetics of the cosmetic vessel
with a puff for four weeks.
[0180] In addition, in the experiments in FIG. 17, the user applied
a sunscreen (containing disodium phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid
which is fluorescent under a UV lamp) and used the cosmetics on the
impregnated sponge for a week or two according to the general
directions. Whether or not the sunscreen remained on the
impregnated sponge was checked using a UV lamp.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Configuration 1.sup.st week 2.sup.nd week
3.sup.rd week 4.sup.th week Airless pump + metallic 20 20 20 20
discharge plate Impregnated sponge + 20 10,000 30,000 100,000
metallic discharge plate Impregnated sponge 10,000 700,000
1,000,000 1,000,000
[0181] Since the cosmetic vessel 1 according to the present
invention includes the metallic discharge plate 50, although the
user applies the cosmetics discharged to the discharge plate 50
with the puff, dead skin cells or the like on the puff may not be
introduced into the discharge unit 20, except through the discharge
holes 51 of the discharge plate 50. Therefore, as shown in Table 3
and FIG. 16, the cosmetic vessel 1 showed little or no bacterial
propagation in comparison with the conventional cosmetic vessel
which did not include the discharge plate 50.
[0182] Since the discharge holes 51 of the discharge plate 50 of
the cosmetic vessel 1 according to the present invention have a
sufficiently small diameter (of 1 mm or less), even when the
discharge unit 20 structurally communicates with the outside
through the discharge holes 51, it may be very difficult to provide
nutrients, such as dead skin cells, to bacteria. In addition, when
the cosmetic vessel 1 includes the airless pump 20, the discharge
holes 51 may not coincide with the outlet of the airless pump 20,
so that supply of the nutrients may be completely blocked.
Therefore, when the cosmetic vessel 1 used the airless pump 20, it
showed that no bacterial propagation was observed.
[0183] On the other hand, as for the conventional cosmetic vessel
using the impregnated sponge, the entire top surface of the
impregnated sponge is exposed to the outside, and the puff directly
contacts the impregnated sponge. Therefore, dead skin cells or the
like on the puff continue to be provided to bacteria of the
impregnated sponge. In other words, since the cosmetics were
discharged from the impregnated sponge by the puff, rapid bacteria
growth was observed.
[0184] With reference to FIG. 17, as the user kept applying the
cosmetics on the impregnated sponge with the puff, it clearly
showed that the sunscreen on the user's skin was transferred to the
impregnated sponge. Thus, user's dead skin cells were also
transferred to the impregnated sponge, which promoted continuous
bacterial growth in the conventional cosmetic vessel.
[0185] On the other hand, according to the present invention, the
discharge plate 50 of the cosmetic vessel 1 may effectively prevent
the puff from directly contacting the discharge unit 20. When the
cosmetic vessel 1 uses the airless pump 20, even if the user keeps
applying the cosmetics with the puff, introduction of dead skin
cells into the cosmetics received in the airless pump 20 is
structurally impossible.
[0186] As described above, since the cosmetic vessel 1 includes the
discharge plate 50 having the discharge holes 51 with a small
diameter, the puff does not directly contact the outlet of the
discharge unit 20. Thus, when the user applies makeup using the
puff, supply of nutrients through the puff to bacteria remaining in
the cosmetics may be prevented to thereby completely block
contamination of the cosmetics.
[0187] Table 4 below shows the number of surviving bacteria in the
cosmetic vessel 1. The experiments were performed by inoculating
the cosmetics in the discharge unit 20 of the cosmetic vessel 1
according to the present invention with bacteriomycota (colon
bacillus, pyogenic bacillus, and pseudomonas aeruginosa) or
eumycetes (aspergillus niger and candida albicans) and determining
the number of living cells on a daily basis.
[0188] The number of bacteria was obtained by taking a 1 gram
sample of the cosmetics, diluting the sample with a neutralization
liquid ten times, smearing it on an SDC medium, culturing it in an
incubator at 37 degrees for 24 hours or more, and observing the
number of colonies (the number of bacteria). The fungus number was
obtained by taking a 1 gram sample of the cosmetics, diluting the
sample with a neutralization liquid ten times, smearing it on an
SDA medium, culturing it in an incubator at 30 degrees for 24 hours
or more, and observing the number of colonies (the fungus
number)
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Discharge unit Initial 1.sup.st day 2.sup.nd
day 3.sup.rd day 4.sup.th day Bacteriomycot (CFU/g) Airless 8.0 *
10{circumflex over ( )}6 1200 less less than 20 less than 20 pump
than 20 Impregnated 400000 20000 8000 400 sponge Eumycetes (CFU/g)
Airless 6.0 * 10{circumflex over ( )}5 200 less less than 20 less
than 20 pump than 20 Impregnated 30000 8000 720 160 sponge
[0189] The cosmetic vessel 1 according to the present invention may
include the airless pump 20 or the impregnated sponge as the
discharge unit 20. However, the airless pump 20 prevents air inlet,
whereas the impregnated sponge may allow inlet of a certain amount
of air.
[0190] Referring to Table 4, when the discharge unit 20 of the
cosmetic vessel 1 was the airless pump 20, the number for each of
the bacteriomycot and eumycetes was sharply reduced to less than 20
on the second day. Nutrients that bacteria need for survival were
not supplied since the airless pump 20 prevents air inlet to the
cosmetics received therein.
[0191] On the other hand, when the discharge unit 20 of the
cosmetic vessel 1 was the impregnated sponge, the number of living
cells for each of bacteriomycot and eumycetes was greater than that
obtained when the airless pump 20 was used.
[0192] In other words, according to the above experimental results,
since the cosmetic vessel 1 uses the airless pump 20 instead of the
impregnated sponge as the discharge unit 20, the number of
surviving bacteria may be minimized to significantly prevent
contamination of the cosmetics.
[0193] Hereinafter, durability and hygiene of the cosmetic vessel 1
are described using the specific experimental data.
[0194] FIG. 18 is a view showing wear depending on a material of a
discharge plate of a cosmetic vessel according to the present
invention.
[0195] In the experiments in FIG. 18, the discharge plate 50 of the
cosmetic vessel 1 included an SUS 304 stainless steel, and the
discharge plate 50 including general plastics was used as a control
group.
[0196] As shown in FIG. 18, when the top surface of the discharge
plate 50 from which the cosmetics are discharged was rubbed twenty
times by the puff, the metallic discharge plate 50 was not
scratched at all. However, it clearly showed that the plastic
discharge plate 50 was badly scratched after being used only twenty
times.
[0197] In other words, since the discharge plate 50 of the cosmetic
vessel 1 according to the present invention includes a metal
instead of plastics, the discharge plate 50 may be prevented from
wearing down when the cosmetics on the top surface of the discharge
plate 50 is rubbed with the puff. In addition, since the present
invention suppresses the generation of scratches, the cosmetic
vessel 1 may ensure durability and hygiene in comparison with the
conventional cosmetic vessel which spoils the beauty of the
cosmetic vessel and accelerates contamination.
[0198] The cosmetics used in the cosmetic vessel 1 may contain an
inorganic pigment having solid particles such as calcium carbonate
(CaCO3), titanium oxide (TiO2), talc, a natural mineral, or a metal
compound. Since the cosmetics include the inorganic pigment having
a high hardness, when the cosmetics are spread over the top surface
of the discharge plate 50 by the puff, the discharge plate 50 may
wear down. Therefore, the discharge plate 50 of the cosmetic vessel
1 may have a Vickers hardness ranging from 120 HV to 200 HV. Here,
Vickers hardness refers to a value obtained by performing an ASTM
E92 Vickers hardness test. Diamond is pressed into a test sample,
and an area corresponding to the resulting indentation was
quantified to obtain a Vickers hardness value.
[0199] Therefore, in the present invention, since the discharge
plate 50 has a Vickers hardness of 120 HV or more, even when the
cosmetics containing the inorganic pigment having a high hardness,
the discharge plate 50 may be prevented from being scratched or
wearing down when friction is caused by the puff. In addition, in
the present invention, since the discharge plate 50 has a Vickers
hardness of 200 HV or less, manufacturing costs of the discharge
plate 50 may be optimized, and processing and forming (an etching
process performed to form the discharge holes 51) may be
facilitated.
[0200] In addition, according to the present invention, since the
top surface of the discharge plate 50 is exposed to the outside and
the user applies the cosmetics discharged to the top surface of the
discharge plate 50 with the puff, the surface of the discharge
plate 50 onto which the user presses the puff to pick up the
cosmetics is separated from the discharge unit 20, so that the
surface onto which the puff is pressed may be cleaned at any time
to keep the discharge plate 50 clean.
[0201] As shown in Table 5 below, fifty users evaluated hygiene and
gave grades on a scale of zero to five with respect to the cosmetic
vessel 1 including the airless pump 20 or the impregnated sponge as
the discharge unit 20 and the conventional cosmetic vessel
including either the airless pump or the impregnated sponge. In
terms of hygienic aspect, the cosmetic vessel 1 received higher
grades than the conventional cosmetic vessel. More specifically,
when compared with the conventional cosmetic vessel including only
the impregnated sponge, the cosmetic vessel 1 including the
discharge plate 50 according to the present invention may improve
hygiene.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Airless pump + Impregnated metallic sponge +
discharge metallic discharge Airless Impregnated plate plate pump
sponge Usage 5 4.5 4 1 satisfaction (hygiene)
[0202] Therefore, since the cosmetics discharged from the discharge
unit 20 are discharged to the top surface of the discharge plate
50, and the remaining cosmetics on the top surface of the discharge
plate 50 exposed to the outside may be cleaned, hygiene may be
improved in comparison with the conventional cosmetic vessel. As a
result, the user may avoid skin problems.
[0203] As described above, the present invention has an excellent
cooling effect according to the user satisfaction with cooling and
the experimental data on surface temperature changes, ensures
antimicrobial properties according to the experimental data on the
number of surviving bacteria and the propagation number of
bacteria, and secures durability and hygiene according to the
experimental data on the generation of scratches and user
satisfaction with hygiene. Therefore, the present invention may
maximize user satisfaction.
[0204] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various
embodiments of the present invention have been described herein for
purposes of illustration. It will be apparent to those skilled in
the art that various modifications can be made to the
above-described exemplary embodiments of the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
[0205] Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are
not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being
indicated by the following claims.
* * * * *